Singer Dawn Richard told a court that music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs threatened to kill her if she spoke about seeing him violently attack his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. The shocking claim came during Diddy’s federal sex trafficking trial in New York.
Richard, a former member of the girl group Danity Kane, said she witnessed Diddy punch, choke, and kick Ventura multiple times. She described one incident where Diddy swung a skillet filled with eggs at Ventura’s head. The next day, Richard said Diddy warned her and another witness they could “go missing” if they talked.
“That we could die,” Richard said when asked what the threat meant. She testified that Diddy’s staff saw the abuse but did nothing to stop it.
The trial focuses on accusations that Diddy used his power in the music industry to control and abuse women. He faces charges including s*x trafficking, racketeering, and forcing women into prostitution. Diddy has denied all charges.
Kerry Morgan, Ventura’s former best friend, also testified. She said Diddy assaulted her in 2018, hitting her with a wooden hanger and choking her. Morgan said Ventura later gave her $30,000 to sign a secrecy agreement.
“The reason I stopped speaking to her is because she was not supportive of me after that incident,” Morgan said about Ventura.
David James, Diddy’s former assistant, recalled Ventura saying she couldn’t leave Diddy because he controlled her career and money. “I can’t get out. Mr. Combs oversees so much of my life,” James remembered her saying.
Diddy’s lawyers questioned Richard’s credibility, pointing out changes in her story over time. Richard admitted some details were hard to recall but stood by her main claims.
The trial continues with more witnesses expected this week, including Ventura’s mother and an escort linked to Diddy’s alleged “freak-off” s*x parties.
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